Chapter 29.5Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle

Section § 7593.5

Explanation

This law establishes October 15 as Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle Conservation Day starting from 2013. It encourages public schools in California to include these turtles in their lessons. Additionally, it urges agencies, NGOs, and other groups to create a statewide watch for tracking turtle sightings along the coast. There's also a push for cooperative relationships with Pacific island nations to boost awareness and conservation efforts. Finally, the law encourages proactive steps to protect the turtles and their habitats from threats.

(a)CA Government Code § 7593.5(a) October 15, 2013, and every October 15 thereafter, is hereby designated as Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle Conservation Day.
(b)CA Government Code § 7593.5(b) The Legislature encourages California public schools to include Pacific leatherback sea turtles in their teaching lessons and curriculum whenever possible.
(c)CA Government Code § 7593.5(c) The Legislature encourages state and federal agencies, nongovernmental agencies, fishers, coastal tour operators, and other interested stakeholders to establish and participate in a statewide, voluntary Pacific leatherback sea turtle watch to record sightings of the Pacific leatherback sea turtle in California and West Coast waters.
(d)CA Government Code § 7593.5(d) The Legislature encourages state and federal agencies to build cooperative relationships with the Western Pacific island nations where Pacific leatherback sea turtles return to nest in order to increase awareness and conservation of this critically endangered species.
(e)CA Government Code § 7593.5(e) The Legislature urges state and federal agencies to take proactive conservation measures and prevent further threats to Pacific leatherback sea turtles and their habitats.
Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle Conservation Day California public schools teaching curriculum statewide turtle watch sightings conservation measures habitat protection Western Pacific island nations turtle nesting environmental awareness critically endangered species proactive conservation coastal tour operators stakeholders involvement
(Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 591, Sec. 3. (AB 1776) Effective January 1, 2013.)